Etimesgut Belediyespor Edges İnkılapspor With Second-Half Strike to Solidify Early Season Form

A solitary goal just past the hour mark proved enough for Etimesgut Belediyespor to dispatch struggling İnkılapspor 1-0 on Saturday at Etimesgut Belediyesi Atatürk Stadı, a result that underscores the growing divide between the top and bottom halves of Turkey's 3. Lig Group 1.

The match winner arrived in the 61st minute, breaking what had been a frustrating afternoon for the hosts against a defensively organized İnkılapspor side desperate to build on their lone victory of the campaign. While the identity of the goalscorer remains unconfirmed, the impact was unmistakable—Etimesgut's fourth win in six matches this season, propelling them into fourth place with 10 points and keeping pace with the early promotion contenders.

For İnkılapspor, languishing in 14th with just four points from five matches, the loss represented another step backward after what appeared to be a breakthrough week. Their 2-0 victory over 1926 Polatlı Belediye last Friday—featuring a goal from A. Sefer—had offered hope that the struggling club might finally gain traction. Instead, they returned to familiar territory, unable to find the back of the net for the third time in their last five outings.

A Tale of Two Trajectories

The contrast in form between these sides heading into Saturday's encounter could hardly have been starker. Etimesgut arrived riding the momentum of three wins in their previous four matches, having scored eight goals during that stretch while conceding just twice. Their only blemish came in a 1-0 home defeat to 1926 Polatlı Belediye on September 21, followed by a scoreless draw at Çorluspor 1947 last weekend that momentarily stalled their upward trajectory.

İnkılapspor's path has been decidedly rockier. Beyond last week's win, they've managed just a single draw—a 1-1 result at Kartal Bulvarspor in mid-September—while absorbing three defeats. Their defensive frailties have been particularly concerning, conceding seven goals across their losing efforts, including a 3-1 drubbing by Küçükçekmece Sinopspor in their season opener.

The pattern continued Saturday. Despite weathering Etimesgut's early pressure through the first hour, İnkılapspor's defense finally cracked in the 61st minute, and their attack—which has managed just five goals all season—couldn't manufacture an equalizer.

Defensive Solidity Returns

For Etimesgut manager, the clean sheet will prove as satisfying as the victory itself. After conceding in four consecutive matches dating back to mid-September, the hosts finally rediscovered their defensive form that characterized their impressive 2-0 victories over Kestel Çilek and Nilüfer Belediye last month.

That solidity proved crucial against an İnkılapspor side that, while limited offensively, showed in their win over Polatlı that they possess the capability to punish mistakes. Etimesgut's backline gave them no such opportunities Saturday, maintaining their shape and discipline even as the visitors pressed for a late equalizer.

The result extends Etimesgut's unbeaten home record to three matches, with all three victories coming at Atatürk Stadı. Their two-goal advantages in wins over Nilüfer Belediye and Silivrispor earlier this season have now been supplemented by this grittier, one-goal triumph—the mark of a team learning how to win ugly when necessary.

The Road Ahead

With the victory, Etimesgut positions itself firmly among the promotion contenders through the season's opening quarter. Their 10 points from five matches represents exactly the sort of start needed to remain in the hunt for one of the coveted promotion spots to 2. Lig. The consistency of their attack—having scored in every match save for last week's draw—provides reason for optimism that more positive results lie ahead.

İnkılapspor faces a different calculation entirely. Four points from five matches leaves them perilously close to the relegation zone, and their inability to score consistently—blanked in three of their five outings—suggests deeper problems than a simple run of bad luck. Without significant improvement, they risk spending the season battling to avoid dropping to the regional amateur leagues rather than harboring any ambitions of climbing the table.

The 3. Lig may occupy the third tier of Turkish football, but for clubs like Etimesgut and İnkılapspor, the stakes remain existential. Saturday's result clarified, at least for now, which direction each team is headed.